The Schuylkill United Way is moving from its current home at 91 S. Progress Ave to another location in the city.
The move will provide the organization with more space and cost less money.
Executive Director Kelly Malone said Thursday the opportunity presented itself and the organization decided to move to 9 N. Centre St., Suite 301, on the third floor of the Susquehanna Bank building.
"We just felt that it was a professional move that we needed to make," Malone said Thursday as she stood inside the 1,800-square-foot suite, an increase from 891 square feet, that the United Way will call home May 6.
The bank offered to donate $10,000 a year toward the $20,000 annual rent.
"The move (by the bank) further exemplifies Susquehanna's commitment to working with strong nonprofit partners to enhance the communities in which we serve," said Edward O. Naab, regional president of the bank in a press release.
"We wouldn't have been able to afford it," Malone said otherwise.
The 3-year lease was finalized May 11, she said.
With the new space, the organization will pay $833 a month compared to $891 a month, Malone said.
"I think the offer was extended due to the amount of work and the commitment that we do with the community," said William Folk III, director of community relations with the Schuylkill United Way.
Malone met Denise Ressler, senior vice president/commercial relationship manager, and other bank representatives and talked to Malone and others about the possible move.
Ressler said the move made good economic sense because the space had been vacated by retired Judge Joseph F. McCloskey, a commonwealth court senior judge.
The current location has been home to the organization for 23 years, Malone said.
Before that, the location was 364 N. Centre St. in the city, she said.
With the extra space it will permit the organization to grow into the future, Folk said.
At the progress avenue location there are three offices and a workroom. The new site will have a board room that will be furnished by the bank, they will use it for training one day a week, an elevator, a larger reception area and other amenities.
Comparing the two sites, Folk said the new one will provide a more "business friendly" atmosphere.
Malone said the new site will also have signage - something the old site did not have.
Donald J. Chescavage, city code enforcement officer, said Thursday a permit would be needed for a sign by his office and the Historical Architectural Review Board because it is in the historic district.
The 91 S. Progress Ave. building was sold June 7, 2012, to Avaas Limited Liability Corp., according to the online Schuylkill County Parcel locator.
Dr. Ashok Kumar and his wife, Indu Paul, purchased the 91 S. Progress Ave. building last year, Paul, the office manager for Premier Pain Professionals, said Thursday.
She said they currently rent office space at 437 N. Centre St. in the city and want to move into the new location as soon as feasible.
Kumar is an anesthesiologist and practices pain management, Paul said.
Malone said the organization was not asked to vacate the building.
Plans on file with the city of Pottsville show the building has more than 8,700-square feet. Plans were approved for the site Friday. They show exam rooms and procedure rooms, a waiting room, reception area, offices and other designated areas for the site of Premier Pain Professionals. The contractor for the $120,000 project is Bernie Vann. The building permit for the site was picked up Friday, Chescavage said.